Personal thoughts, opinions and comments of an independent consultant, political analyst and historian, who lives in Ireland but is aware of the whole world.

17 March 2008

Paddy's Day 2008 & a Word about Drums

Well, to begin at the beginning, as Dylan Thomas would have put it: Today was the first time in years that we had a dry, friendly and even sunny St. Patrick's Day here. To compensate for the unexpected sunshine - after weeks of much rain and severe storms - it was rather cold, despite the Sun smiling down on us. But that's no problem. A winter coat, scarf and hat take care of that.

I was happy for the hundreds of people who have worked for weeks to organise the parade, build the floats, make costumes and prepare the celebrations in other ways. Far too often I have seen groups in fancy dress soaking wet - but still marching on, as if it was to win a war - and brass bands wrapped up so tight in plastic raincoats that they could hardly play their instruments.

But fortunately that was not the case today. Buíochas le Dia!Someone must have said prayers and burned enough candles...

As there was no rain, damp or other climatic impediment, I expected the bands to march in good spirit today, blasting away the people's mental cobwebs with some good and cheerful tunes.Sadly I have to report that this was not the case. Very rarely were we treated to a proper and melodious tune this afternoon, while most of the bands chose to march to long-winded, boring and - quite honestly - mind-numbing sequences of monotonous drumbeats. I have been to many parades in my lifetime, but never before were my ears so bored and annoyed by the sound the bands produced.

I felt a bit like certain members of the armed forces ten years ago: Had they issued us with some ear protection, I would have used it. But no such luck. There we stood, watching colourful groups and elaborate floats passing by in good cheer, and were treated to nothing more than the same old tamptera-tam-tam of the drums. I begin to wonder what might have happened to our bands and their once quite broad repertoire. Did someone brainwash them all? Did they suddenly and unexpectedly forget all their tunes? Did they loose their notes - all at the same time?Or is the whole thing more sinister?

I have no idea, and wish I had. But it bothers me. We have the bands, they have no shortage of musicians, there are enough instruments, and still all they produce for ages on parade is a stupid tamptera-tam-tam, again and again. So what's the problem? Please, if someone knows, don't be shy and let me know!And it's not just me. I was talking to some people who made the same observation and wondered in similar ways I do. Could it be - one of my neighbours suggested - that the young lads who are now in the bands just haven't got the skills any longer? Are they spending too much time in pubs and playing computer games these days? Or might it be a subtle creeping-in of the all-present and really quite offensive sounding drum beats one can hear in the modern "music" they call Techno?

The day passed without us finding an answer. Perhaps we never will. But it was very annoying, boring and took a lot of the joy away one has usually during a parade. And I know already that I won't be going next year - regardless of the weather - if it is all drumbeat and no tunes again.

In case we do have a domestic problem with skills and talents, such can easily be solved with more practice. And should this not bring us the desired results, it would be better to admit to be musically challenged and look for help from abroad. There are thousands of good brass bands in most foreign countries (like the one pictured here), and many of them would be delighted to come over for St. Patrick's Day and play in the parade. All it needs are some kind invitations, sent out as early as possible, as good bands have full diaries. For the foreign bands it would be a good experience - and fun - and we would once again hear some proper tunes. Because there is no other country I know of that would tolerate the monotonous tamptera-tam-tam we have encountered today.

Not even in the North they beat their lambeg drums alone. They play along with flutes and fifes, which sounds boring and monotonous enough. But not as bad as what we had to endure today, on the day that should inspire the whole nation to joy and celebration.

I suppose that it did not need all the drumming to bring the many thirsty people into the pubs in town after the parade. They would have gone anyway. But today even I felt close to being called to a bar, just somewhere to hide from the constant drum beats. But since I do not frequent the public houses, nor indulge in alcoholic drinks, I just went home, made myself a good pot of Earl Grey tea, and then put one of my CDs into the player. "Great European Marches" the sampler is called, and it gave me within minutes what I had missed for more than an hour during the parade: Good and uplifting tunes that make the heart beat faster, raise one's spirit and put a smile on every face within earshot. Well, I hope that the parade you went to see today gave you that without going home and playing a CD. Slan abhaile!

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A hundred thousand Welcomes, as we say in Irish.

You are indeed most welcome to my humble weblog, to which I post each day a personal column, reflecting my views, thoughts and opinions of the day. Often the entries will be inspired by events and news from Ireland or abroad. Having lived in various countries before I grew solid roots on the Emerald Isle, I take note of many things that happen on the planet.And I have views and opinions.Please be my guest, read and think, and feel free to leave your personal comments as well. They are as welcome as you are here.On the right you also find some additional information, related to Ireland and other matters, for example books I recommend. From time to time I also have opinion polls and appreciate your participation. And if you like what you read, you can subscribe to my weblog (using the box below) and will receive every new entry automatically.And in case you want to find a specific word or subject - on the world-wide web or on one of my two weblogs - then you don't even have to leave the site. Scroll down to the very bottom and you will find a perfect search engine, powered by Google.

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FACTS ABOUT IRELAND

The Emerald Isle

(also known as Ireland) has been inhabited by humans for at least 10,000 years. This image shows the topographical structure of the island, which was until recent times very important and decided in many cases where the people would build their settlements.The oldest surviving monuments in Ireland date from megalithic times between 5000 and 3500 BCE. About 200 BCE the Celts, familiar with the use of iron, conquered the island.

Around 1000 years later Viking raiders from Norway appeared, and in 914 they built the first city in Ireland, calling it "Vadra Fjord" (safe anchorage), which later became Waterford.In 1169 this city was the first to be taken by the Normans, when they invaded and conquered large parts of the island, including the capital Dublin.

In later centuries Ireland became more known for emigrants, as famine, poverty and oppression drove people out into the world. (About 45 million Americans have Irish ancestry.)However, since the unexpected economic boom (known as the "Celtic Tiger"), which we had for about a dozen years, there are now many immigrants on the Emerald Isle, coming from almost everywhere and turning the once quiet and introvert island into a vibrant international community.

Unfortunately the boom turned out to be only a bubble, based on false hopes, speculation and criminal gambling by reckless bankers. So now we are in a deep economic recession, which is made even worse by our current incompetent government.What will happen to Ireland in the future is hard to say, but it all will depend on making the right political, economic, and social decisions.

There is a realistic chance that Ireland could become a major producer of clean energy, and proposals have been presented already to the government and the public. It will now depend on our politicians to make the right decisions. If they do, then we can have a bright and promising future. If not, Ireland is in danger of becoming a poor third-world country.

Ireland's Countryside

is predominantly green. It is said that there are actually forty different shadesofgreen on the island, but few people go around counting.The landscape is rolling, with drumlins, hills and river valleys, and one is never far from the sea in Ireland.Ancient Stones like the one on this photo can be found in many parts of Ireland. They are the remnants of the old religion, which is once again growing on the Emerald Isle.

Ireland's National Flag

was first introduced during the uprising of 1848 in Waterford, Ireland's oldest city, by Thomas Francis Meagher, a native of the city who later rose to prominence as a Union General (and leader of the famous Irish Brigade) during the American Civil War (1861-65).An Bhratach Náisiúnta, as she is called in Irish, is a vertical (revolutionary) tricoleur, inspired by and modeled on the flag of the French Republic.The colours are green, white and orange. They represent the land and the predominantly Catholic nationalist majority (green), the protestant Anglo-Irish minority (orange), and the peace (white) that exists between them.

The flag was used by nationalists in private since 1848 and flown in public again during the Easter Rising of 1916 in Dublin. In 1919 she was adopted as the official flag of the Irish Republic.

Uachtarán na hÉireann

Prof. Mary McAleese is the 8th President of the Republic of Ireland. First elected to the office in 1997 as a representative of the majority government party Fianna Fáil, she is now in her second seven-year term, to which she was elected without opposition in 2004. She is the second female President of the Republic and currently also the longest-serving elected female head of state in the world. Born in Belfast, she encountered the Northern troubles first-hand and her Catholic family was forced out of their house by "loyalist" terrorists. After studying law in Belfast and Dublin, she qualifed as a barrister. In 1975 she was appointed a professor in the legal faculty of Trinity College, Dublin and in 1979 joined RTÉ television as a journalist and presenter. Since 1981 she combined both areas of work, but returned in 1987 to Belfast, as Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen's University, which appointed her Pro-Vice Chancellor in 1994.

An Taoiseach

Brian Cowen, TD is the 12th Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland and the 7th leader of the majority government party Fianna Fáil. In 1984, aged 24, he was elected to the Dáil in the constituency his father Bernhard, a local publican, had represented before. After 8 years in parliament, Cowen was appointed Minister for Labour in 1992. Since then he served as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Minister for Health and Children, and - from 2000 to 2004 - as the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Since 2005 Brian Cowen was Minister for Finance, and since 2007 also Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister). When Taoiseach Bertie Ahern declared his resignation on April 2nd, 2008, Cowen was elected unopposed as the new leader of Fianna Fáil on April 9th. On May 7th, 2008 Dáil Eireann elected him Taoiseach. He leads a coalition government inherited from Bertie Ahern and supported by the Green Party and four independent TDs. The now 48-year-old, sometimes referred to as 'Biffo', is married and father of two daughters. A keen Gaelic football fan, he also continues to be president of Clara GAA club.

The Parliament

of Ireland is known as the Houses of the Oireachtas. The House of Deputies (currently 166) is called Dáil Éireann, while 60 Senators form Seanad Éireann, the Senate. Both meet at Leinster House on Dublin's Kildare Street (above). The former city residence of the Duke of Leinster was sold in 1815 to the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) which added two new wings, to accomodate the National Library and the National Museum. After the formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 the central part was chosen as the provisional parliament chamber (until some proper building would be found). Despite plans to turn the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, into the seat of the Oireachtas, it never happened. So Leinster House is still at the heart of Irish politics. And when Irish architect James Hoban designed the White House in Washington, D.C., he modeled it on Leinster House.

A few words about me

Having been born into an old European family (with 75% of the genes Celtic) I learned early that history and traditions are very important. After a quite turbulent childhood and youth, spent in different countries on three continents, I joined the Navy, served for many years in ships, other commands, and became a historian.
After leaving the Navy I worked in a museum and national monument, taught in school and college, edited a magazine and worked as journalist and broadcaster. Now I earn my crust as an independent consultant and analyst. In my scarce spare time I am involved in various social activities and charity work, write and read a lot, and sometimes even find time for painting.
My house is old and small, and I share it with a cat. Living a simple Spartan life, I eat vegetarian food and do not enjoy alcohol and most entertainments.
Life is too short to be wasted on fripperies. Every day is needed to do one's share - no matter how small it might be - to save the planet and its living creatures.

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The HSE, as seen by "Green Ink"

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